ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Highlighting Prime Minister’s Statement in the Independence Day Speech 2019, that Rs. 100 lakh Crore would be invested on infrastructure over the next 5 years, Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Union Budget 2020-21 in Parliament today said “As a follow up measure, I had launched the National Infrastructure Pipeline on 31st December 2019 of Rs 103 lakh crore. It consists of more than 6500 projects across sectors and are classified as per their size and stage of development.”
The Finance Minister further said, that the National Skill Development Agency will give special thrust to infrastructure-focused skill development opportunities and that a huge employment opportunity exists for India’s youth in construction, operation and maintenance of infrastructure.
The Union Budget proposed to set up a project preparation facility for infrastructure projects. This programme would actively involve young engineers, management graduates and economists from our Universities.
The Budget also proposed to direct all infrastructure agencies of the government to involve youth-power in start-ups.
The Finance Minister also proposed A National Logistics Policy, to be released soon and this would clarify the roles of the Union Government, State Governments and key regulators and create a single window e-logistics market and focus on generation of employment, skills and making MSMEs competitive.
Measures for improving roads Infrastructure
While presenting the Union Budget 2020-21, the Finance minister said that Accelerated development of highways will be undertaken. She said “This will include development of 2500 Km access control highways, 9000 Km of economic corridors, 2000 Km of coastal and land port roads and 2000 Km of strategic highways. Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and two other packages to be completed by 2023. Chennai-Bengaluru Expressway also be started. It is proposed to monetise at least 12 lots of highway bundles of over 6000 Km before 2024.”
Measures for improving Railways Infrastructure
Enlisting the achievements of Railways within 100 days of assumption of the current government, the Finance minister proposed the following five measures for optimisation of costs
o Setting up a large solar power capacity alongside the rail tracks, on the land owned by the railways
o Four station re-development projects and operation of 150 passenger trains would be done through PPP mode.
o More Tejas type trains will connect iconic tourist destinations.
o High speed train between Mumbai to Ahmedabad would be actively pursued.
o 148 km long Bengaluru Suburban transport project at a cost of Rs 18600 crore, would have fares on metro model. Central Government would provide 20% of equity and facilitate external assistance up to 60% of the project cost.
With an aim to build a seamless national cold supply chain for ‘perishables’, The Minister also proposed that the Indian Railways will set up a “Krishi Rail”- through PPP arrangements. There will be refrigerated coaches in express and Frieght trains as well she said.
RM/BB/SNC/SC/PS
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister’s meeting with President of Egypt
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was received by the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, H.E. Mr. Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi at Al-Ittihadiya Palace on 25 June 2023.
The two leaders warmly recalled the State Visit of President Sisi as the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations in January 2023, and welcomed the momentum it has imparted to bilateral relations. They agreed that the newly established ‘India Unit’ in Egyptian Cabinet was a useful tool in steering bilateral collaborations.
The leaders discussed ways to further deepen the partnership between the two countries, particularly in areas like trade and investment, information technology, defence and security, renewable energy, agriculture, health, culture and people to people ties.
Prime Minister and President Sisi also discussed further cooperation in G-20, highlighting the issues of food and energy insecurity, climate change and the need for Global South to have a concerted voice. Prime Minister looked forward to welcoming President Sisi in New Delhi in September 2023 for the G20 Leaders Summit.
An agreement to elevate the bilateral relationship to a "Strategic Partnership" was signed by the to leaders. Three MoUs in the fields of Agriculture, Archaeology & Antiquities and Competition Law were also signed.
Prime Minister of Egypt, H.E. Mr. Mostafa Madbouly and a number of other senior Cabinet Ministers were present. From the Indian side, EAM, NSA and senior officials were present.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Covid Vaccination Beneficiaries
As per the recommendation of the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 , the following categories are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination: Health Care Workers, Front Line Workers, persons aged 60 years and above and persons between 45 to 59 years of age with specified comorbidities.
Registration for vaccination can be done through Co-WIN 2.0 portal/website or through AarogyaSetu app.
As per the guidance document on COWIN 2.0, any one of the following photo identity documents can be used by citizens for availing online registration: Aadhaar Card, Electoral Photo Identity Card , Passport, Driving License, PAN Card, NPR smart card, Pension document with photograph.
Co-WIN 2.0 has the provision that allows beneficiaries to choose the COVID vaccination centre at the time of online registration.
As of 15th March 2021, a total of 3.05 crore beneficiaries  are registered on Co-WIN 2.0 portal.
List of 20 specified Comorbidities for determination of eligibility of citizens in age group of 45 to 59 years
|
|
SN
|
|
Criterion
|
|
1
|
|
Heart Failure with hospital admission in past one year
|
|
2
|
|
Post Cardiac Transplant/Left Ventricular Assist Device 
|
|
3
|
|
Significant Left ventricular systolic dysfunction 
|
|
4
|
|
Moderate or Severe Valvular Heart Disease
|
|
5
|
|
Congenital heart disease with severe PAH or Idiopathic PAH
|
|
6
|
|
Coronary Artery Disease with past CABG/PTCA/MI
AND Hypertension/Diabetes on treatment
|
|
7
|
|
AnginaAND Hypertension/Diabetes on treatment
|
|
8
|
|
CT/MRI documented stroke AND Hypertension/Diabetes on treatment
|
|
9
|
|
Pulmonary artery hypertension AND Hypertension/Diabetes on treatment
|
|
10
|
|
Diabetes  AND Hypertension on treatment
|
|
11
|
|
Kidney/ Liver/ Hematopoietic stem cell transplant: Recipient/On wait-list
|
|
12
|
|
End Stage Kidney Disease on haemodialysis/ CAPD
|
|
13
|
|
Current prolonged use of oral corticosteroids/ immunosuppressant medications
|
|
14
|
|
Decompensated cirrhosis
|
|
15
|
|
Severe respiratory disease with hospitalizations in last two years/FEV1 <50%
|
|
16
|
|
Lymphoma/ Leukaemia/ Myeloma
|
|
17
|
|
Diagnosis of any solid cancer on or after 1st July 2020 ORcurrently on any cancer therapy
|
|
18
|
|
Sickle Cell Disease/ Bone marrow failure/ Aplastic Anemia/ Thalassemia Major
|
|
19
|
|
Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases/ HIV infection
|
|
20
|
|
Persons with disabilities due to Intellectual disabilities/ Muscular Dystrophy/ Acid attack with involvement of respiratory system/ Persons with disabilities having high support needs/ Multiple disabilities including deaf-blindness
The Minister of State , Sh. Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha here today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Skill Training Centre for Emergency Medical Services
Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, under its Central Sector Scheme, ‘Human Resource Development for Emergency Medical Services’, has provision for setting up 140 Skill Centres to be established in government medical colleges across India to impart skills on life saving interventions.
Under the said scheme, 17 such Skill Centers have been proposed to be set up in Uttar Pradesh. Of these nominations for 11 Skill centres by the State Government of Uttar Pradesh have been received so far.
This is a Central Sector Scheme under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, where setting up of skill centers is 100% funded by the Central Government.
For each skill centers, funds to the tune of Rs. 2.60 to 2.90 crores  are released to Government Medical Colleges/ Institutions subject to their recommendation by the concerned state government. The funds allocated is for infrastructure and procurement of training equipment.
So far, 82 medical colleges have been granted funds to the tune of Rs. 121 Crores.
State/ UT wise distribution of proposed Skill Centres
|
|
Sr. No.
|
|
State or Union Territory
|
|
No. of Skill Centres to be established
|
|
1
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
17
|
|
2
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
11
|
|
3
|
|
Bihar
|
|
10
|
|
4
|
|
West Bengal
|
|
9
|
|
5
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
8
|
|
6
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
8
|
|
7
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
7
|
|
8
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
7
|
|
9
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
7
|
|
10
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
6
|
|
11
|
|
Odisha
|
|
5
|
|
12
|
|
Telangana
|
|
4
|
|
13
|
|
Kerala
|
|
4
|
|
14
|
|
Jharkhand
|
|
4
|
|
15
|
|
Assam
|
|
4
|
|
16
|
|
Punjab
|
|
3
|
|
17
|
|
Chhattisgarh
|
|
3
|
|
18
|
|
Haryana
|
|
3
|
|
19
|
|
Uttarakhand
|
|
2
|
|
20
|
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
|
2
|
|
21
|
|
Tripura
|
|
1
|
|
22
|
|
Meghalaya
|
|
1
|
|
23
|
|
Manipur
|
|
1
|
|
24
|
|
Nagaland
|
|
1
|
|
25
|
|
Goa
|
|
1
|
|
26
|
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
|
1
|
|
27
|
|
Mizoram
|
|
1
|
|
28
|
|
Sikkim
|
|
1
|
|
UT 1
|
|
Puducherry
|
|
1
|
|
UT 2
|
|
Andaman and Nicobar
|
|
1
|
|
UT 3
|
|
Delhi
|
|
2
|
|
UT 4
|
|
Chandigarh
|
|
1
|
|
UT 5
|
|
Ladakh
|
|
1
|
|
UT 6
|
|
Jammu and Kashmir
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
140
Skill centres are proposed to set up on the basis of nomination received from State Government of Uttar Pradesh, at the following 11 medical colleges:
|
|
Sr. No.
|
|
Name of Medical College
|
|
1.
|
|
BHU Institute of Medical Sciences
|
|
2.
|
|
Govt. Medical College Kanpur
|
|
3.
|
|
Govt. Medical College Allahabad
|
|
4.
|
|
Govt. Medical College Jhansi
|
|
5.
|
|
Govt. Medical College Kannauj
|
|
6.
|
|
Govt. Medical College Jalaun
|
|
7.
|
|
Govt. Medical College Agra
|
|
8.
|
|
Govt. Medical College Meerut
|
|
9.
|
|
Govt. Medical College Gorakhpur
|
|
10.
|
|
Govt. Medical College Ambedkar Nagar
|
|
11.
|
|
Govt. Medical College Azamgarh
The Minister of State , Sh. Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha here today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Day 45- next Phase of COVID19 Vaccination commences
25 Lakh beneficiaries register on Co-Win portal today; 24.5 Lakh are citizen beneficiaries
More than 1.47 Cr COVID19 vaccine doses administered
4.27 lakh vaccine doses given till 7pm today
The cumulative number of COVID19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed 1.47 Crore today.
The countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on 16th Jan 2021 and vaccination of the Frontline Workers  started from 2nd Feb 2021. The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination has commenced from today for those who are over 60 years of age and for people aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions.
25 Lakh potential beneficiaries registered on the Co-Win portal today. Out of this, 24.5 Lakh are citizens and the rest are Healthcare Workers and Frontline Workers. About 6.44 Lakh appointments were booked today by the citizen beneficiaries.
A total of 1,47,28,569 vaccine doses have been given, as per the provisional report till 7 pm today.
These include 66,95,665 HCWs who have taken the 1st dose and 25,57,837 HCWs who have taken the 2nd dose, 53,27,587 FLWs , 1,28,630 beneficiaries more than 60 years old and 18,850 beneficiaries aged 45 and above with specific co-morbidities.
Total 4,27,072 vaccine doses were given till 7 pm today, the forty fifth day of nationwide COVID19 vaccination. Out of which 3,25,485 beneficiaries were vaccinated for 1st dose and 1,01,587 HCWs received 2nd dose of vaccine as per the provisional report. Final reports would be completed for the day by late tonight.
|
|
Date: 1st March, 2021
|
|
HCWs
|
|
FLWs
|
|
45 to <60 years with Co-morbidities
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
Total Achievement
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
25,656
|
|
1,01,587
|
|
1,52,349
|
|
18,850
|
|
1,28,630
|
|
3,25,485
|
|
1,01,587
Cabinet
Cabinet approves signing of MoU between India and Canada on collaboration among Chartered Accountant Institutions
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the signing of the "Memorandum of Understanding " between "Institute of Chartered Accountants of India " and "Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada ".
Details:
Approval of the Cabinet has been granted in respect of Ex-post facto approval of the MoU signed in 2011 and approval for signing of MoU between ICAI, India and CPA, Canada and the MoU envisages arrangements for reciprocal membership that will apply to the respective members of both the Institutes subject to specified criteria. The MoU also includes further collaboration on the definition, learning, and evaluation of the professional qualities and skills and competencies of entry-level Chartered Accountants.
Impact:
The aim is to work together to develop a mutually beneficial relationship in the best interest of ICAI members, students and their organizations. The MoU will provide an opportunity to the ICAI members to expand their professional horizon and simultaneously ICAI will become an entity to aid strengthen brand building of local nations. The MoU will foster strong working relations between the ICAI & CPA Canada.
Beneficiaries:
The MoU would help encourage more and more young Indian Chartered Accountants to take up the recognition of "CPA Canada" professional designation to further help them pursue professional opportunities in Canada. A number of Indian Chartered Accountants are holding top level positions in Canadian companies and with the recognition from CPA Canada, the Canadian Corporates would trust Indian talent and skills more and proceed to hire them.
Implementation strategy and Targets
The MoU will apply to members of good standing who have gained membership in the ICAI or one of the Canadian Provincial CPA bodies by meeting the education, examination and practical experience requirements of the ICAI or the Canadian Provincial CPA bodies respectively. This agreement does not automatically apply to individuals who have gained membership of the ICAI or the Canadian Provincial CPA Bodies through another agreement with a third party.
Background
ICAI is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament of India, The Chartered Accountants Act, 1949', to regulate the profession of Chartered Accountancy in India. “CPA Canada" Institute is the national organization established to support a unified Canadian accounting profession.
Ministry of Power
NTPC Signs MoU with Energy Vault for Gravity-based Energy Storage Technology
Coal Ash to be utilized for manufacturing composite blocks
NTPC Limited the largest power generating utility in India, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding  with Energy Vault Holdings, Inc.  . The objective of the MoU is to collaborate and formalize a long-term strategic partnership for deployment of Energy Vault’s EVx™ gravity-based energy storage technology and software solutions based on the outcome of a joint feasibility study. The technology also offers beneficial utilization of coal ash for manufacturing of composite blocks for Energy Vault’s gravity based energy storage system.
Gurdeep Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of NTPC said, “As a large, integrated power producer, it is critical for NTPC to have a diverse clean energy portfolio to decarbonize India’s economy. We have enhanced our renewable capacity addition targets to spearhead India’s energy transition goals and we are focusing on Solar, Wind, RTC and Hybrid projects to achieve the targets. The collaboration with Energy Vault will help NTPC in furthering its energy transition goals through a sustainable approach by way of utilizing coal ash for manufacturing of composite blocks. Accordingly, this collaboration will also promote a circular economy.”
"We are excited to partner with NTPC and support India’s largest power utility in its clean energy transition," said Robert Piconi, Chairman, Co-Founder and CEO, Energy Vault. "Energy Vault’s mission is to make sustainable, carbon free energy a reality and this announcement marks further advancement towards that goal with the expansion into one of the largest global markets for energy. Our collaboration with NTPC builds upon previously announced commercial expansions across multiple continents as we transitioned to a public company earlier this year.”
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
SEAPLANE SERVICE
Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways  has signed an MoU with Ministry of Civil Aviation for development of Non Scheduled/Scheduled operation of Sea Plane Services within territorial jurisdiction of India under Regional Connectivity Scheme  – UDAN  scheme. RCS – UDAN scheme was launched by Ministry of Civil Aviation on 21-10-2016 to facilitate / stimulate regional air connectivity and make air travel affordable to the masses. It is a demand-driven scheme, wherein airline operators assess the feasibility of operation on a particular route and bid under the scheme. Till date, 28 seaplane routes connecting 14 water aerodromes have been awarded under RCS UDAN. As per the scheme, in addition to Viability Gap Funding, Central Government, State Governments and Airport Operators provide concessions to the Selected Airline Operators  which include :-
1. Central Government:
 Excise Duty at the rate of 2% on Aviation Turbine Fuel  for SAOs at RCS Airports for RCS Flights for a period of three years from the date of notification of this Scheme.
 Freedom to enter into code sharing arrangements with domestic as well as International Airlines pursuant to applicable regulations and prevailing air service agreements.
2. State Governments at RCS Airports within their States:
 Reduction of Value Added Tax to 1% or less on ATF at RCS Airports located within the State for a period of ten years from the date of notification of RCS – UDAN.
 Provision of security and fire services free of cost at RCS Airports.
3. Airport Operators:
 Airport operators do not levy Landing Charges and Parking Charges
 SAOs are allowed to undertake ground handling for their RCS Flights at all airports.
 Airports Authority of India does not levy any Terminal Navigation Landing Charges on RCS Flights.
 Route Navigation and Facilitation Charges are levied by Aal on a discounted basis @ 42.50% of Normal Rates on RCS Flights.
So far no study on the disruption of aquatic and aerial biodiversity in the lakes has been conducted by Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways . However, MoPSW has mandated Syama Prasad Mookherjee Port, Kolkata to act as nodal agency for conducting Bathymetric Survey, Obstruction Limitation Surface  Survey and preparation of Detailed Project Report  for construction of water aerodrome for sea plane operations.
This information was given by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister's visit to Al-Hakim Mosque
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Al-Hakim Mosque in Cairo during his State Visit to Egypt.
Prime Minister was received by Minister of Tourism & Antiquities of Egypt, Dr. Mostafa Waziri. Prime Minister also met the leaders of Bohra community, who are actively involved in the upkeep of this Fatimid era Shi’a Mosque and highlighted the strong people to people ties between India and Egypt.
Special Service and Features
DGGSTI, Coimbatore Zonal Unit defects Evasion of GST by Hosiery Fabric/Knitted Fabric Manufacturers
In a major crackdown on evasion of GST by manufacturers of knitted fabrics a Tirupur, the officers of Directorate General of GST Intelligence, Zonal Unit, Ukkadam, Coimbatore  conducted simultaneous search operations at the business and warehouse premises and the residence of two tax payers at Tirupur on 10.09.2020.
During the search operation, it was found that the taxpayers have made sales for which no GST invoice/bill was raised. The approximate value of sales without bills/invoices was Rs.40-45 Crores. Unaccounted stock of knitted fabrics valued at Rs.2.70 crores  were also detected and seized from four of their premises. Two of the warehouses were not declared to the GST department. Incriminating documents evidencing evasion of GST since the inception of GST have been recovered. An amount of Rs.2.2 crores have been recovered towards past GST liabilities.
The person in-charge of the above units has admitted that they had to pay considerable amount of GST in respect of sales for which they had not raised GST invoices. Further investigation is in progress.
The Department requests the public/trade to inform the department, if any evasion is noticed, according to a press release issued by the Additional Director General, Directorate General of GST Intelligence, Coimbatore.
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Ministry of Steel
12TH RASHTRIYA HINDI SANGOSTHI HELD IN KOLKATA
Kolkata, July.31, 2019
To mark the 139th birth anniversary of prominent novelist and story writer Mushi Prem Chand, 12th Rashtriya Hindi Sangosthi  was inaugurated by Shri Fagan Singh Kulastay, Union Minister of State, Ministry of Steel here today. This symposium was organized by the Metal Scrap Trade Corporation Ltd. , a PSU under the Union Ministry of Steel.
Shri Kulastay congratulated the officers and staffs of MSTC for organizing this symposium with enthusiasm. The Minister stated Mushi Prem Chand has played an outstanding role in making the usage of Hindi simple. He stated that we must popularize Hindi. Central Government is emphasizing on the use of Hindi language in all departments and Raj Bhasha Units have also been set up in all Ministries to promote the language.He urged all to use Hindi in all communications and to popularize it.
Shri T. Srinivas, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Steel; Shri Anand Kumar, Joint Director, Ministry of Steel; Shri B.B.Singh, Chairman-cum- Managing Director, MSTC among others were also present on the occasion.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Production of RAW Cashew at All Time High
The production of raw cashew nuts in India during 2017-18 has increased to all time high at 8.17 lakh metric tonneand registered growth of 4% compared to previous production of 7.79 lakh metric tonneand 21 % increase compared to 2015-16 production of 6.70 lakh metric tonne.
However, due to shortage of sufficient quantity of raw cashew nut and higher price for raw cashew nut in the international market, it is reported that the cashew industry is facing the prospect of a demand - supply gap, as the total requirement of raw cashew nut is estimated at 17 lakh metric tonne.
With regard to steps for increasing production of raw cashew nut, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture and RashtriyaKrishiVikashYojana has drawn up strategies to increase domestic production by massive area expansion of cashew and replacing of senile cashew plantations with high yielding varieties in traditional and non-traditional states.
The details of quantum of cashew production, export and import of raw cashew in the country during the last five years is given below: -
Production of Raw Cashew Nut
|
|
Year
|
|
Production of Raw Cashewnut 
|
|
2013-14
|
|
7.36
|
|
2014-15
|
|
7.25
|
|
2015-16
|
|
6.70
|
|
2016-17
|
|
7.79
|
|
2017-18
|
|
8.17

India’s Export and Import of CASHEW NUTS FRESH/DRIED IN SHELL 
|
|
|
|
Export
|
|
Import
|
|
Year
|
|
Quantity 
|
|
Value 
|
|
Quantity 
|
|
Value 
|
|
2013-14
|
|
3,900.77
|
|
4.03
|
|
776334
|
|
773.81
|
|
2014-15
|
|
15,637.75
|
|
21.79
|
|
933190
|
|
1087.16
|
|
2015-16
|
|
7,014.40
|
|
11.34
|
|
961665
|
|
1339.34
|
|
2016-17
|
|
9,773.37
|
|
19.45
|
|
774513
|
|
1346.58
|
|
2017-18|
|
5,542.90
|
|
10.34
|
|
654024
|
|
1418.63

This information was given by the Minister of State of Commerce and Industry, C. R. Chaudhary, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.